Posted on 09/05/2005 7:32:04 PM PDT by Jacob Kell
You're correct, that is not among the delineated responsibilities of the President. However, maybe he's asking this of other Americans as a human being who is saddened and concerned for his other fellow human beings in NOLA.
You'd like to pretend that he's signed an Executive Order requiring all Americans to pray or else.
Reread the Bill of Rights...it is not freedom FROM religion, it is freedom OF religion. President Bush did not give up his right when he became President.
We could spend countless days arguing the point, but the REAL point is this...with thousands in need, what does the head of American Atheists have to say????? Is it...give generously? Donate time? No.
Her focus at this time says it ALL about her priorities.
Why should he command or request any religious activity in his role as President?
I don't want a Buddhist or Muslim president telling me to pray or meditate or go on jihad. Do you need the most visible official of the state giving you religious instructions? I don't.
Prayers are offered by faith. Any faith. It isn't a "religion". IMHO ....Atheism takes much more faith than any sect that believes in a Supreme being. I wonder what entity he worships? The Hildebeast?
Bush is not trying to be some Grand Ayatollah. He just said pray. You have the right to close your ears and hum just as much as he has a right to say what he said.
Rev. Barry Lynn, of Americans United, is that you?
"America doesn't belong to you. Thank goodness for the protections of our secular Constitution. It is what protects folks from fanatics."
You are sad, sad little person. You haven't read the federalist papers or the writings of the framers, have you?
I am not pretending that Bush has signed an E.O. requiring prayer. I am merely pointing out that his role as President is not to call for religious activity of any kind from the Citizens of the Republic - be it generic prayer, Christian eucharist, Islamic hajj, etc.
The day any president can compel me to attend a specific "state" church, I'll worry. Til then... the atheists can STHU.
An atheist's most embarrassing moment is when he feels profoundly thankful for something, but can't think of anybody to thank for it. - Mary Ann Vincent.
The real heretic is not the atheist or agnostic (who are often decent people) but those who murmur "it doesn't matter what you believe, as long as it makes you feel good." This turns religion into a subjective matter, like taste in furnishings, and robs theology of its claim to ultimate truth. - Sydney J. Harris
From an atheist's viewpoint, is that good? If so, why?
Wrong. Better go read your Constitution again. That's not the prohibition.
It is a longstanding tradition in this country for presidents to call for prayer that dates back to the beginning of this country. It's never been done as a requirement, but as a request for those so inclined.
One of the things causing grief in this country is the demand that the feelings of large segments of society be ignored. One can only do this so often before the keg catches sparks...
Yes - I have read, I think much or most, of the corpus of writings from the founding era and the founders. It is definitely a mixed bag. Thank goodness for the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
You so quickly resort to name calling, ostensibly in defense of prayer - that is what strikes me as sad and illustrative.
Have you ever heard of any atheist relief organizations?
"Oh well, there goes some more evolution."
IMO, if the President or any other official claims to be a Christian, Christ's direct teaching is to pray for one another - irrespective of all the Ellen Johnsons of the world.
It is called the IRS ;)
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